I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

Use this form if you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) and you need to establish your relationship to an eligible relative who wishes to come to or remain in the United States permanently and get a Permanent Resident Card (also called a Green Card).

Green Card Eligibility Categories:

  • Green Card through Family
  • Green Card through Employment
  • Green Card as a Special Immigrant
  • Green Card through Refugee or Asylee Status
  • Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims
  • Green Card for Victims of Abuse
  • Green Card through Other Categories
  • Green Card through Registry


Submitting Form I-130 is the first step in helping an eligible relative apply to immigrate to the United States and get Green Card. The filing or approval of this petition does not give your relative any immigration status or benefit.

USCIS will generally approve your Form I-130 if you can establish a relationship between you and your relative that qualifies them to immigrate to the United States. Generally, once the Petition approved, your relative may apply to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR). If your relative is already in the United States and a visa is available, they may be eligible to get their Green Card by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Certain relatives must wait until a visa number is available before they can apply. If your relative qualifies as an immediate relative, an immigrant visa always is available.

  • If your relative is not eligible to get their Green Card in the United States by filing Form I-485, or if your relative lives outside the United States, they may apply for an immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of State at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country.


When completing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, please make sure that you (as the petitioner) select only one option when indicating that the beneficiary intends to apply for adjustment of status inside the United States or will pursue visa processing abroad. If the Form I-130 is still pending with USCIS and you want to change your selection (to either consular processing abroad or adjust status in the United States), you may contact the USCIS Contact Center and request a change. If you want to change your selection after we have already approved the form, you may need to file Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition.